(Named a Best Book of 2012 by School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Bank Street College of Education) What if a boy kicked a beach ball into the surf, and two seals found it and began playing with it? And what if it bounced up onto the beach, and a third seal saw it? You could read this nearly wordless book to prereaders in about half a minute, but you could talk about it for much, much longer, as the simple story unfolds in three different ways, told in deceptively simple, richly textured, and expressive paintings. Making good on her fifth-grade pronouncement that she was born to make picture books, Laura Vaccaro Seeger has earned multiple Caldecott and Theodor Seuss Geisel Honors for such innovative creations as First the Egg, One Boy, and Green, as well as the 2007 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Best Picture Book for Dog and Bear: Two Friends, Three Stories.

"Simplicity itself ... exactingly executed by careful placement of characters upon the page and the slightest hints of emotions. It's the work of an artist who never overplays her hand, and the brushstrokes and possibly even finger strokes evident in the colorful paint give it an even deeper sense of intimacy."—Booklist

"Seeger's grasp of children's concerns and ability to visually tell a full story with minimal words is masterful here. She captures the complexity of friendship and sharing in a way that will speak to kids and invite discussion.... Perfect for parents and teachers looking for books on interpersonal relationships, or just a great book to share."—School Library Journal (starred review)

"Another superb offering from this master picture book creator—no ifs, ands, or buts about it."—Horn Book Magazine (starred review)